The bond between humans and canines has solidified over thousands of years and forged unshakable friendships across the planet. It no longer had anything to do with the beginning of it all, about 40 thousand years ago, when animals nested next to humans to get some leftovers, while serving as protection in a world full of traps. The passage of time has added quality to this exchange. All kinds of dogs have been domesticated and earned privileges under the roof where they are housed, in an escalation of pampering as new boundaries are broken every day. At the moment, attention is focused on daycares that have been thought to the smallest detail for a portion of the package that can pay for days full of activities and stimuli. They’ve been in the country since the 2000s, and are derived from a simpler, more family-friendly business – that of pet caretakers. The novelty lies in the growing range of services available, sometimes similar to those of children’s schools, sometimes with spa services that would make anyone jealous. sane man.
Over the years, this market has already advanced into the double digits. Then came pestilence, isolation, human stress and puppies – and the land was sown for breeding dog daycares. “The animals began to whimper, showing signs of anxiety, and in these social settings they were able to vent the energy accumulated in the shutdown,” explains veterinarian Keelen Oliveira, chair of the Animal Welfare Committee. It is no coincidence that in the last year there has been an estimated 200% growth in demand for these oases of dogs, the monthly price of which is up to 3000 riyals, depending on the shift (can be 12 hours) and the choice of franchises (infinite). Now that life is back to normal, with people returning to the office and travelling, those who have just discovered such nurseries are no longer giving up on them. Animal behaviorist Kleber Santos, owner of the CompportPet, which is also a hotel, training center and school to prepare investors in the field, says.
Imagine a VIP treatment in which the day has barely dawned and the animal is already under the watchful eyes of a team trained not only to divide groups by size, but also by the energy level of each representative of the species and their affinity for yes. For those who haven’t eaten breakfast, brunch – which is exactly the same – is often served as a meal that is often devoid of the usual ration, which gives way to a mixture of fresh vegetables and meat on the plate by a dietitian. From there, the sky can be the limit for dogs with different needs. Teacher Fiona, a Bulldog, and Gilia, a Golden Retriever, businesswoman Danielle Mesquita, 28, noticed some excitement in the two and found out at the nursery that they both attend music therapy and color therapy sessions. If before that the husband barked as a sign of protest when I went out into the street, today it reveals the beneficial effects of the relaxing treatments they receive. “They’re more balanced,” Danielle says.
The strength of the dog market is supported by the number of dogs of the most diverse breeds in Brazil – there are 54.2 million of them, which is higher than the number of children. With the entire production chain around this hairy crowd, sales in 2021 amounted to OMR 51.7 billion, an increase of 27% over the previous year, which in turn grew by 15%. Sensitive about numbers, Dog’s Ville owner Danielle Magna has decided to release the puppies from her daycare center in São Paulo through franchises, which will soon arrive in Salvador and Belo Horizonte, pardon the pun. “People who are interested in opening their own unit keep popping up,” he says.
For dog owners, letting them burn energy outside has a positive effect on their household routine. As with humans, constant contact with other species imposes a vital learning experience on animals, which hone their socialization skills. Born in Maddalena, she moved here two years ago, when 27-year-old businessman Mateus Curcio joined her at a daycare. “I’ve never fought with other dogs or had problems with people again,” reports the relaxed owner, who relishes the possibility of observing Maddalena’s good life online and in real time. You might be taking a dip in the pool or even getting stabbed in the middle of an acupuncture session. And so he returned home, like many of his generation, in complete peace to play the part of the old dog: to be man’s best friend.
Published in VEJA on April 27, 2022, Issue No. 2786